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>> this is "bbc world news america." a fragile cease-fire in syria, but the world watches to see if the bashar al-assad regime will stick to the cease-fire. >> on every major occasion in the last year, when the syrian government has said they are cooperating with an international plan, they have gone on to break their word. >> george zimmerman has his first day in court after being charged with second-degree murder in the killing of 17- year-old trayvon martin. >> selling "the scream." you cannot own one of the world's most famous paintings, but the price tag might make your shot. -- you shout.

welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the world. tonight, a cease-fire seems to be holding in syria, but it is fragile, and opposition forces said government troops have so far not pulled back from rebel strongholds like the city of palms. tens of thousands of syrian civilians have fled to live in refugee camps along the turkish- syrian border. from there, our correspondent send this report. >> after a month of violence, a very different kind of day. not so much peace, but the absence of large-skill conflict. activists ventured out to report these pictures of government tax on the move in hama. they were able to film a sniper position. in the same city, a chain of people bearing the words sos.

activists said they filmed shelling by the army. the government accused the opposition of a legal roadside bomb attack. the u.n. secretary general's query response spoke for many in the international community. >> as of this moment, the situation looks calmer. the world is, however, watching with skeptical eyes, given promises previously made by the government of syria have not been kept. >> in damascus, among supporters of the regime, there was a welcome for the cease-fire, but also a government threat of retaliation if attacked. >> we are against the withdrawal of the army, especially in hot zones. we are setting off stability in the country. >> we are already tired of this mess and the events taking place. >> what is meant to happen now?

under the announced plan, heavy weapons, tanks, and troops are supposed to be withdrawn. u.n. monitors are meant to be deployed to report on compliance with the plan. and the political process should begin between both sides with an intermediary. this evening, there was a rejection of this from the commander of the rebel army. >> the regime has already violated the ceasefire, from the first minute. it will not honor its pledges. we cannot enter into dialogue with a criminal regime. we believe that this regime is illegitimate. >> for the refugees who dream of returning home, today's news presents the possibility. this woman is in her 70's, and was separated from her sons and grandchildren when they tried to escape syria. >> when everything is peaceful, i will find my children.

everyday, i am crying and thinking about them. >> the news from across the border is confused, with reports of violations in some areas. for kofi annan, the problem is the political crisis remains unresolved. the opposition will not accept any solution that keeps president bashar al-assad in power. after tens of thousands were driven into exile and thousands died, the bitterness and mistrust is immense. it is telling, perhaps, i did not meet any refugees who believed they would be going home soon. bbc news, on the turkish-syrian border. >> for more on the tension inside syria and diplomatic efforts to broker peace, i was joined by british foreign secretary william hague, in washington for a meeting of bgh. -- of the g-8. you have met with the foreign

ministers. do you have a sense of how the cease-fire is being implemented? >> it is tough to say. there is a skeptical eye. in the last year, when the syrian government has said they are cooperating, they have gone on to break their word. that are not fully implementing the ceasefire. the have not withdrawn their forces from populated areas in taken heavy artillery back to barracks. it is a welcome announcement, but we need to get a monitoring mission in there as fast as possible. >> you met with the russian foreign minister. do you have a sense of what it is going to take to put pressure on the russians? 9000 people dying does not seem to have done it yet. >> we have had many meetings with russia over the past year. they have twice vetoed the security council. on the coffee and plan, russia

is in agreement with us -- on the kofi annan plan, russia is in agreement with us. they want a cease-fire. that is what the russian foreign minister has been telling me. they have put pressure on syria to implement a cease-fire. >> part of the kofi annan plan is a political process which would bring about democracy in syria. it is hard to see how bashar al- assad will sign up, knowing that will mean the end of his regime in. >> that is right, but this is only the beginning of the plan being implemented in any way at all. the announcement of a cease-fire must be accompanied by a political process. that process will be extremely difficult, of course, because president bashar al-assad does not want to subject himself to a pleural democratic political system. that political process cannot happen unless there is a cease- fire and forces are pulled back to barracks.

this is a start, but we must be skeptical about what will happen next. you are quite right. >> is there a sense in which the kofi annan plan has to fail in order to get moscow and beijing to turn around and sign on to something? bacon said, "you did not abide with it. we have to let you go." >> we do not want to fail. but it is true that if it fails, if no meaningful political process takes place, countries like the united kingdom and the united states and france will come back to the security council to say they have not even made this work, and we now need a u.n. security council resolution, more sanctions from countries that have not yet implemented them. that is part of the pressure on the syrian regime. if they do not try to make this plan work, they know we will be doing those sorts of things. >> this has been going on for a

year. you've said it is critical to get monitors into syria urgently. what is the time frame for the next step? at what point do you say to syria, "we have given you enough time. you have surpassed all deadlines now." >> i think we have to let kofi annan set the timing of steps. if we have faith in him conducted in this process and these negotiations, it is wrong to second-guess his timing. but we do need monitors to go in and in days, not weeks. the initial monitors need freedom to operate and monitor. this requires monitoring of what is happening across the whole country. that takes some time to get people to arrange the logistics. the first step is very urgent. the political process has to get going as well. >> is it not also true that in a sense the outcomes in syria are so messy that it has been convenient for the world to say

we cannot act? >> i think most countries in the world -- the istanbul conference, the friends of the syrian people -- 10 days ago, those countries were very clear that bashar al-assad had lost its legitimacy and needs to go. but we do need a political solution in syria, not violent conflict. it is not a good idea to see a violent overthrow of the regime. that would cost tens of thousands of lives. conflict could spell to neighboring countries. and it is fundamentally wrong to see the violent suppression of the opposition. we do want to see a political process take place. i do not think that can work if a sod -- assad tries to stay in power. >> not to a quick look at

today's other stories. the parliament in egypt has banned political officials that served under hosni amount -- under hosni mubarak from running. it means the former vice president will not be able to continue as a presidential candidate. the law would only come into effect if it is approved by the ruling military council, which took power last year. hamid karzai is considering bringing forward the date for presidential elections, or setting up a handover of security to his forces. the president says he hopes that afghan forces can be retained at their current strength at least until 2015. an elderly spanish nun has appeared in court in madrid, accused of baby-stealing, after a mother used dna to prove the baby she was told died 30 years ago was alive and has been adopted.

she is the first person to be charged with allegations that thousands of spanish babies may have been stolen by health and religious workers under the franco dictatorship and up to the 1980's. jordan zimmermann, the man who killed the unarmed black teenager, made a brief appearance in court today. he wore handcuffs and was flanked by police officers as he entered the room. he faces charges of second- degree murder. to tell us more about the case is our correspondent. what did we learn? >> it was a brief procedural hearing. mr. zimmermann was brought into court in a prison jumpsuit, handcuffed. he spoke only briefly in response. >> mr. zimmerman, you are appearing here for your first appearance. this appearance is for a charge of murder in the second degree. remember your right to remain silent.

you have the right to say nothing. we will go forward on procedural matters only at this time. >> that was pretty much all he said. afterwards, his lawyer spoke to the press. what did he tell us about mr. zimmerman's frame of mind? >> he said he was frightened. he was clearly nervous about the legal process ahead. earlier in the day, in a television interview, he said his client was very sorry for what had happened, the way the alleged victim had passed away. he has been quite reserved, this lawyer, in terms of his comments. one issue we did not hear about today that was a possibility is the bail for mr. zimmerman. it was not appropriate, he felt, with emotions still running high in the court room, to possibly increase the fervor around the case. >> it is interesting, is it not?

we have had both the prosecution and the defense refering to the fact that this has become such a lightning rod case in the court of public opinion around the country. how they going to manage to try this, when there has been such an outcry? >> that is something both sides are grappling with. there is a possibility of a different venue being chosen for eventual trial. both are saying similar things. they feel now is the time that at last these issues can be resolved in a court room, as opposed to a more-emotional court of public opinion. >> part of the problem had been there was no charge against mr. zimmerman, that he has gone on charged for the death of an unarmed black teenager. the thing public outcry will die down? >> across america, those emotions will be running extremely high. there is a second-degree murder

charge which is stronger than some expected in this case. that is what a lot of people wanted. it is up to the legal process to take its course. >> for 23 years, and the world has banned the poaching of elephants, yet the practice not only continues -- it is actually rising. a bbc investigation finds it is demand from china fuelling this illegal trade, and pudding endangered species at great risk. >> here in kenya, elephants have traditionally thrived. but experts say there are worrying signs of poaching. in the past three years, the corridor of the areas thousands have been lost. >> the coaching is worse than it has ever been before. if it got out of hand, it would threaten not only elephants, but the communities around. >> poaching is worst where

governments and security are weak. in central africa, the long-term future of forest elephants is at risk. in the democratic republic of congo, poached ivory was on sale openly in the market. >> 7, 8, 9, 10. how much is this? tell me. >> 10,000. >> conservationists and governments trying to tackle poaching in africa say the trade is being driven by demand from china. >> 90% of all the people we have arrested at the airports are carrying ivory. >> four years ago, the body which oversees the worldwide trade lifted the ban to allow poor southern african countries to sell stockpile ivory to china and japan. while there is no official

language -- with increased poaching, some say the controversial decision has backfired. >> when the trade ban was put into place, and ivory prices dropped. that effectively controlled punching. however, as soon as that one-off sale is allowed, ivory prices start going up. people start wanting the ivory. poachers start killing the elephants. to regulatebility its legal market for ivory, including issuing certificates for each piece sold, is being questioned. >> the chinese government says it is upholding its international obligations, but those trying to protect elephants see china's appetite for ivory as a long-term problem for africa. >> i do not see it letting up. i think some countries are going

to lose all their elephants. that is tragic. >> the questions are familiar. can the demand for ivory the stifled? and can the killing of elephants be stopped? >> a lucrative trade that is killing elephants in africa. you are watching "bbc world news america." still to come, beating the financial crisis one at a time. for some greek residents, the market is going back to an old tradition. to south korea, where the governing new frontier party has won a surprise majority in the parliamentary elections. the party lost fewer streets to the democratic united party then opponents had predicted. you have to wonder what the country's former leaders make of it all. at the national cemetery today,

the head of south korea's governing conservative party gives thanks for a surprise election win. the daughter of one of south korea's most autocratic military rulers has not been shy in calling for new quotas. there is a new name, a new image, and a new set of faces. that is not all. at the cemetery today, a promise they will make a new republic of korea. it is what many young people here say they want, a solution to south korea's growing wealth gap, its lack of welfare, and a lack of jobs. >> unemployment among youth is more than double that of people in their 50's and 60's. not only that. these young voters have gone through a strenuous education program. with high unemployment, they are looking for their reward. >> the new votes are not only important for this election.

he is seen as a key contender for the presidential race in december. that is part of what this election was about. the new frontier party lost seats in this election. its main rival, the democratic united party, has gained almost 50% more than it had before. hanging on to the majority, even by the skin of its teeth, has given the ruling party a crucial boost as all eyes turn to the real prize, the presidency, up for grabs later this year. bbc news, seoul. >> for months now, the greek economy has been in crisis. the country's future in the eurozone is uncertain. one town has taken matters into its own hands by simply ditching the euro and using a system of barter. we are seeing a novel economic plan in action.

>> wandered down to the market and there is one thing you will not need in your pocket -- money. from handicrafts to food, everything is for sale through a new alternative currency. locals build up credit by offering goods or services. the value is recorded in a central computer network, allowing them to spend on whatever they choose. the traditional bartering system is returning to today's greece. >> instead of exchanging money, it is great. this is what i can offer. >> we have reached a point in our lives where we want to think in a different way. >> since it began, the network has built up over 800 members, and it is growing every day. it is a grassroots initiative for people struggling to afford things with euros.

it has spawned other bartering and exchange systems around the country as greece looks for new ways to beat the financial crisis. it has thrown this picturesque place into the spotlight. volos is suffering from industries collapsing and unemployment soaring. the alternative currency has reenergize the community searching for a glimmer of hope. the mayor has backed the project, but things both currencies can coexist. >> we think this is a good way out. there is a deep economic and social crisis. this is an initiative works alongside the euro. it does not replace the euro. >> this is a local business using the network, a cooperative which sells plants, giving fresh opportunities to workers.

>> we can buy bread and meat in exchange for our product, and the girls can go to the hair dresser. i grew up in a village. this is how it used to work in the old days, before money was involved. >> the next generation is benefiting. parents who can no longer avoid workshops for their children can now pay. the euro may not be forced out, but there is an alternative on which many are depending, a simple idea of giving this community fresh optimism, a rare hint of power amid the darkness of the financial crisis. bbc news, central greece. >> swapping her cuts for plants sounds like a good idea for me. in the gloom of the financial crisis, there is one colorful spot, and that is the art world. soon, we will know how and united is from this recession. the screen may depict how many of us feel these days.

today, the only version of the work in private hands went on sale at sotheby's in london, where it will be sold, probably for an awful lot of money, next month. >> "the scream" is a face of parliament, despair, magazines, posters, cartoons, book covers. it has been reproduced in a million cartoons, fridge magnets, inflexible toys. it has a double life. in fine art, it is a defining image of the expressionist movement. it is also recognized around the world. this is not just another painting. it is a global icon of despair, inspired by a walk by the sea in norway. munch was with friends when he suffered a sudden attack of anxiety, a screen pass into nature.

he painted three other versions, but they are all in museums. this was acquired by a neighbor. it is his family putting it up for sale. >> it is the only version in private hands. this image is one of the most famous in the whole of art history. how do you put a price on it? >> the estimate, 50 million pounds, put it on par with a renoir and a van gogh portrait, which were in their time record- breaking prices. then came cezanne pick "the card players." with such works, normal rules do not apply. this is going to be the only scream in private hands. that is an extraordinary opportunity for someone. you set the price. you set the value. it is the paradox of the market. >> from advertisers to art thieves, the painting is

undoubtedly popular. what is the worst in the auction room? -- is that worth in the auction room? >> i think it is about $80 million, a little out of my price range. police in serbia say they have recovered a stolen painting believed to be by the french impressionist paul cezanne. serb media have named the painting as "the boy in red." it was stolen in 2008. four man were arrested as they were allegedly trying to sell it. you can get updates on our website at any time. to reach most of the bbc team, find us on twitter. from all of us here, thanks so much for watching. see you back here tomorrow.

>> make sense of international news at bbc.com/news. >> funding was made possible by -- the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu, newman's own foundation, union bank, and shell. >> this is kim, about to feel one of his favorite sensations. at shell, we're developing more efficient fuels in countries like malaysia that can help us get the most from our energy resources. let's use energy more efficiently. let's go.

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